The ‘End of An Era’ with Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi. Preparations underway for Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway with IndyCar’s Michael Monti

ROGER:

This is Roger Penske and you're listening to Pit Pass Indie, sponsored by Penske Truck Rental.

BRUCE:

IndyCar fans, it's time to start your engines. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, a production of Evergreen Podcast. I'm your host, Bruce Martin, a journalist who regularly covers the NTT IndyCar Series. Our goal at Pit Pass Indy is to give racing fans an insider's view of the exciting world of the NTT IndyCar Series in a fast-paced podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport. I bring nearly 40 years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as NBCSports.com, SI.com, ESPN SportsTicker, Sports Illustrated, AutoWeek and SpeedSport. So let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee, as we continue our fourth season of giving IndyCar fans a behind-the-scenes look at the NTT IndyCar Series and the drivers and teams that compete in the Indianapolis 500. Our friends from Hy-Vee have returned for the month of June as Penske Truck Rental shares the show in the big build-up to the Hy-Vee IndyCar race weekend at Iowa Speedway, July 12th through the 14th. This year's schedule includes a night race at Iowa Speedway on Saturday, July 13th, with another full race scheduled for Sunday, July 14th. Four of the biggest names in entertainment will perform before and after each race, including Luke Combs, Eric Church, Kelsey Bellarini, and Post Malone. For Malone, it will be the first time the famed entertainer has performed in central Iowa. It promises to once again be the biggest racing weekend of the summer for IndyCar because of its big event stature and the debut of the hybrid assist unit for the first time in oval competition, which will increase the horsepower along with the speeds and give the drivers another tool to work with in competition. The Firestone Grand Prix at Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway in Laguna Seca marked the end of an era in IndyCar history. It was the final race for the internal combustion engine in IndyCar competition. Beginning with Thursday's test at Iowa Speedway and on to the next race, the Honda Indy 200 at mid-Ohio, the hybrid engine era begins, bringing a combination of electrification and an internal combustion engine that is designed for more efficiency, safety, and extra horsepower. Although the internal combustion engine that has been used in IndyCar competition up to this point included an array of electronics and computer control units, the power was produced with the simple formula of fuel, air, and a spark to create combustion that produced the power. The hybrid will include stored power from a capacitor that creates electric power when engaged in addition to the internal combustion power of the engine. The internal combustion engine has been the workhorse of motorsports and of the automotive industry for well over a century. When IndyCar returns to action with the July 7th Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, every car in the field will include a hybrid power unit that was developed in a unique collaboration between Honda, Chevrolet, and IndyCar. Honda helped develop the ultracapacitor engine storage system, and Chevrolet-Illmore helped develop the motor generator unit. Illmore will assemble and distribute the combined package to the IndyCar Series teams. With the automotive industry moving toward electrification of some type, many motorsports series around the world have already taken the giant leap toward that technology. Formula E has become the world's leader in an all-electric power plant in racing. World Endurance Challenge and IMSA have already moved into the hybrid era, combining electrification with the internal combustion engine to get the best of both in extreme motorsports competition. NASCAR continues to rely on the ICE, but there are discussions for a future that includes hybrid technology. For 95 laps at Monterey on June 23rd, the IndyCar Series drivers raced hard using the tools at hand, including the push-to-pass system that is a time-limited horsepower booster. In two weeks, the addition of the hybrid assist and push-to-pass will create a combined 120 additional horsepower to each car for each driver. The end of one era is the dawn of a new era in two weeks. After the race at Monterey, I asked Andretti Global driver Colton Herta and Arrow McLaren racer Alexander Rossi for their thoughts on the end of an era in IndyCar racing. Hey guys, you guys always like to have more tools to use in the battle of competition. Beginning in a couple of weeks, you're going to have that tool with the hybrid assist. You spent a lot of time keeping track of how many seconds of push to pass you have. How much is that going to help? And this is like today where you might have an additional tool to use on some of those restarts.

COLTON:

I don't know how much of a difference it'll make. Um, it's, it's a short burst of energy. So, um, you know, if you have a run going, it might give you that edge to pass somebody, but I don't think it'll create the opportunity to pass. I think it's going to be more of a factor of, um, how much push you pass you have. But if you don't have the battery fully charged on a restart, you probably deserve to be passed. I'll say that. Yeah.

ALEXANDER:

Yeah, like he says, you know, it is something, but I mean, it's a good amount of performance. It just doesn't last very long. So, yeah, I don't think it'll be a difference maker.

BRUCE:

Today may be the last time that some type of electric power is not used in the powertrain. Although you have electronic components and ECUs and everything that are part of the engine, the actual powertrain from here on out will probably include some type of electrification. So what's it like really turning the page a little bit on something that has been utilized in racing for so long, the internal combustion engine.

ALEXANDER:

You know, I think it's I mean, I have two emotions. I mean, I'm sad because it's the end of an era, right? Like it's we grew up falling in love with this sport with kind of the framework of what it is now. But at the same time, you know, if you look at where the world is going and where manufacturers are going, you know, you got to you got to evolve. So it's an exciting time for the series. um to take that step towards the future and um you know it's something that's important to to all of us and the partners involved so it's um it's happy and sad you know it's it's uh it's cool to be able to introduce new technology into the cars but also it's sad that you know this this phase of motorsports is coming to an end

BRUCE:

As for the race, Alex Pillow scored his 11th career victory, his second of the 2024 season, as he won this year's Firestone Grand Prix at Monterey from the pole. Of his four races at the historic 2.238-mile, 11-turn WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca on the Monterey Peninsula of the Central California coast, Pillow has finished second in 2021, won in 2022, was third in 2023, and scored another victory in 2024. Pillow tells me how in this exclusive Pit Pass Indie interview. Joining us now for the 11th time in his IndyCar Series career, it's race winner Alex Pillow of Chip Ganassi Racing. Alex, you're the winner of the Firestone Grand Prix in Monterey. You had the best car, the fastest car by winning the pole. You stayed out of the pits during the first caution, which opened up an interesting race strategy that you weren't quite so sure it was going to work. If you could explain to us your preconceptions on whether that strategy would work or not.

ALEX:

Yeah, I mean, the car's been amazing since the start of the weekend in practice one. Unfortunately, I lost the lead too early before we got to turn two. So it was a great execution from my end. But yeah, honestly, it's been It was a tough call that the team did, but they did what we needed to get that win. Obviously, it was super risky in case there was a yellow or something, or in case we didn't really have the pace, but we knew we had the pace. So it worked. I'm happy it worked. Obviously, as a driver, you always question everything. But I was glad that Barry and the team were Uh, we're right on that call, but, um, yeah, they 99.9% of the times they're right.

BRUCE:

I should have said your reservations on whether that strategy would work or not. But as far though, as once you were out in the lead, you had a couple of restarts that you had to deal with a couple of good challenges from Colton Herta. The next to last restart, he had a really good run on you and you really held your position in turn one. How difficult was that restart?

ALEX:

Yeah, it was very tough. It was tough. Every restart was putting us in risk. I was not able to get good exits out of last corner. We had a really good car, but traction wasn't our best and I struggled there. I got into a curb and had some big wheelspin. Yeah, I'm glad we stayed in front because he was completely side by side and he could have made a move on us. But yeah, when you're leading, you don't want any restart at all, for sure.

BRUCE:

On the last restart, you had a really good jump coming out of the final turn when they restarted the race. And that seemed to be the key for you to get out front and keep it for the rest of the way. How important was that restart?

ALEX:

Yeah, that restart was was crucial. And I mean, I did like three or four previously, and one of them was terrible. One of them was so-so. So I was like, please, Alex, you need to make this happen. So I thought about what was the best way to do it, put the car straight and got a good exit. So it was crucial to allow us to just relax a little bit for those last two or three laps that we had. And yeah, I'm so glad that it worked.

BRUCE:

You've regained the point lead by 23 points over Team Penske's willpower. How important is that heading into an off week before you return to another track where you're the defending race winner, the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on July 7th?

ALEX:

Yeah, I mean, it's great to have the championship leap back. We know how easy it is to swing from first to second to third and make like big jumps. So I'm glad we're first now, but I'm focused. I know that we need to win more races to hopefully get bigger gaps and to secure this position because we want to win and we need to win the championship this year. So I'm excited about going to mid-Ohio, first race with the hybrid at the Honda GP event. So yeah, I'm excited to get there and hopefully defend our win from last year.

BRUCE:

An interesting footnote in history, you will be the final IndyCar Series driver that has won a race with an entirely internal combustion engine. From here on out, there will be some type of electrification done to the powertrain, depending on how the automotive industry continues into the future. But To have that role of this is an engine that's been around forever and to be the last driver to win a race in a engine that does not have electrification and IndyCar. How do you look at that?

ALEX:

I love it. I love it. I know it doesn't mean a lot more, but I mean, it's going to stay there. Whenever we talk about the last race that somebody won without the hybrid, hopefully our name appears and somebody watches that race back. So, yeah, I'm excited. I'm excited for what we've had and I'm super excited about the future.

BRUCE:

Well, Alex Polo's name is going to appear a lot in the history of the NTT IndyCar series. Congratulations on your 11th IndyCar win. Enjoy the break before we get back to racing on July 7th at Mid-Ohio. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you. We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

SPEAKER_00:

Hey everybody, this is IndyCarDriver Joseph Newgarden and you're listening to PitPass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

BRUCE:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. IndyCar Series drivers and teams have an off weekend this week, but that doesn't mean they are taking any time off. On Thursday, June 27th, 10 IndyCar Series teams and 27 IndyCar Series drivers will participate in an all-day test session at Iowa Speedway in preparation for the biggest racing weekend of the summer, the Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway. Teams will begin the test session at 12 noon Central Time and run until 5 p.m. After a one-hour break, a night test session will begin at 6 p.m. Central Time as teams fine-tune their machines for a night race as part of the doubleheader weekend at Iowa Speedway, July 12th through the 14th. The weekend includes an evening race on Saturday, July 13th and a day race on Sunday, July 14th. Michael Montry is IndyCar's Director of Promoter Relations and a key member of the Penske Corporation. He serves in the capacity of President, Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway and is deep in preparation for the big event coming up in mid-July. I caught up with Montry on Monday, June 24th for this exclusive pit pass Indy presented by Hy-Vee Interview to talk about the big plans already underway at Iowa Speedway. Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee is Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway President, Michael Montry. Michael's already out in Iowa getting ready for the big IndyCar weekend that happens July 12th through July 14th. The plan this year is a little different because NASCAR was out there a couple of weekends ago. So how is that affecting planning for the big weekend that's coming up here in July?

MICHAEL:

Well, it's been great. Thanks for having me, Umbers. And, you know, I think anybody who saw the NASCAR race out here realized what this little speedway in Newton, Iowa, can do. I mean, the place was packed. And, uh, you know, IndyCar fans knew that from the last two years of Hy-Vee IndyCar race weekend. So, uh, it really did. They did a good job in getting the facility ready and some improvements on the facility with some additional paving in the corners on the track and then off track in some of the fan areas as well. But, um, we're really looking forward to it. Our ticket sales have been incredible and should be a great weekend here, uh, July 12th to 14th.

BRUCE:

A couple of weeks ago when I saw Bud Danker, he had said that ticket sales had increased. He was concerned that perhaps maybe having an additional race out there the month before the Hy-Vee IndyCar race weekend at Iowa Speedway, but he said the ticket sales had gone up like 22, 21 percent. What have you seen so far and what kind of crowd are you expecting?

MICHAEL:

Yeah, we've seen exactly that and ticket sales have kept pace. I think, you know, a couple things. I think number one, We've done this for two years. This will be the three years with Hy-Vee as our partner and featuring not only, you know, 17 second laps with our IndyCars on the track. but also the high level of entertainment that Hy-Vee helps us bring here to each of these Hy-Vee IndyCar Race weekends. So we have four A-list concerts that are taking place, two each day, two on Saturday, two on Sunday with an NTT IndyCar Race each day as well. So the value that the ticket buyer gets here, our guests get here for that weekend is just unprecedented. I mean, you know, for a two, two A-list concerts in one race. It's just amazing per day.

BRUCE:

Have you been able to track bringing in fans who may have come for the entertainment that suddenly see the IndyCar races and get hooked by that and decide to Attend the event for the IndyCar race or vice versa where you see some IndyCar fans may not have been familiar with some of the Entertainment even though I don't know with names like that how you can't be familiar with those names that suddenly become fans of the entertainers

MICHAEL:

Well what yes is the answer and what we found is there's a there's a happy medium in appealing to both of those clients. You know we'll have people here that are fans of Post Malone and they're here only to see Post Malone and they're going to see an IndyCar race on top of it and they'll see the opening act Kelsey Ballerini who isn't really an opening act but she's still It just happens to be on stage before Post Malone on Sunday afternoon. But we've also seen folks that while they feel that the concerts are entertaining, it's not their main motivation for buying tickets. They're race fans who want to see, again, our NTT IndyCar Series cars go around this track at 17 seconds a lap. we've seen both. And there's a fine balance there between not only in what we do to attract the guests and how we service those guests while we're here, while they're here, but also on the pricing side, how do we find that happy medium and pricing to appeal to both? And we feel like we have a pretty good mix this year. And I think that has a lot to do with the fact that we're up year over year in both sales for both days.

BRUCE:

This is the third year that you've gone with this concept of four big name entertainers combined with an IndyCar double header through the help and support, of course, of Hy-Vee. And in its third year, you just mentioned that the ticket sales keep going up every year. But in your third year, is that kind of amazing that a lot of times big events like this start off great. The first year might taper off the second or third year. But in your case, they actually seem to be trending upwards.

MICHAEL:

Well, I think we have done a good job. Again, you mentioned Hy-Vee, and none of this is possible without them and their support. But we've done a good job of not only attracting fans of IndyCar and new fans based on our concert, but also while they're here, making sure they have a good time and a great family-friendly environment, and they go away happy and they come back. And I think you're seeing the results of those efforts now in year three, the ticket sales up, to your point. It's still a fresh show, it's still an exciting show, and it's still something that when the return guests come back, they know they're gonna have a good time and be taken care of from a guest service standpoint. So yeah, the plan is working, I guess, is what you'd say to year three and ticket sales up, for sure.

BRUCE:

A lot of areas of the Midwest have major festivals during the summertime. Do you think that in its third year, you've become that major festival in the state of Iowa?

MICHAEL:

Yeah, there's no doubt. There's no doubt. Iowa's a great festival state. I mean, they have some incredible, you know, annual, you know, recurring festivals. And I think we've slotted in this year at a good spot on that calendar. And, you know, the night race on Saturday night, I think helps for those folks who wanted a night race since we brought, you know, Hy-Vee to the Iowa Speedway in 2022. And so we have one finally in 2024. And I think folks are excited about that. You know, Hy-Vee came right back and said, well, what about Post Malone on Sunday? And Kelsey Pallarini, it's just like, holy moly, let's, let's go. And, uh, and I think, I think it has slotted it nicely there. It's, uh, you know, some people have said it's kind of the Sturgis of the Unicar series, uh, this race weekend and, and, uh, people come back for it.

BRUCE:

Also, Hy-Vee has the support of a lot of its sponsors and vendors and product suppliers that they sell their products in their stores. But Denker did tell me, though, that the Turn 4 pit suites weren't going to be constructed this year, but that doesn't mean there's going to be fewer people. How are you going to place a lot of those corporations that wanted suites that used those pit row suites that came out of Turn 4? How are you going to place them this year?

MICHAEL:

Well, that actual exact structure, Bruce, that was in turn four, you mentioned last year, is actually relocated up to turn one. And so it's a little larger unit than what was in turn one last year. And so it kind of took what was in turn four, added it on to turn one. and we have plenty of space for all the partners that wanna be here. I think there are one or two suites left in there, but for the most part, the demand has been incredible and our main permanent suite structure right behind the start finish line is sold out like it has been since we brought this thing back in 2022. So no shortage of corporate hospitality and corporate entertainment. And then the other thing, Turn 4 is how he does for all their employees and stakeholders. They have their own suite there for the employees and stakeholders, which is great just to see them support all of their families that work for them and their stakeholders. So it's going to be great.

BRUCE:

So how many suites will you be utilizing?

MICHAEL:

Oh, that's a good question. So we'll have upwards of 45 to 50, I believe, is where we ended up.

BRUCE:

And as far as ticket sales, will you be adding any temporary grandstands or will it just be the permanent structure?

MICHAEL:

As of right now, the plan is to not add any any temporary grandstands. Again, I mentioned that term for structure. Hy-Vee had built a temporary grandstand to put their employees in last year. This year, they're going to be in that temporary structure. So as far as the grandstands go at this point, no, we will not be building any additional.

BRUCE:

So per day capacity would be what?

MICHAEL:

Oh, you know, the, the grandstands, uh, hold about 24,000 in total. Uh, then you have your suite, your permanent suite structure, and then your temporary suite structure, not counting anything on the infield. Um, so, you know, you're, you're pushing, you know, 50,000. That's a, that's a guesstimate, quite frankly, Bruce. I'm not even counting any of the camping on RV Hill or any of that either.

BRUCE:

Where does camping stand at the moment? There's been previous years where your camping has sold out early.

MICHAEL:

Yeah, as usual, the camping that has the racetrack view, RV Hill, that's all sold out for both days. We do still have some camping sites available that are behind you know, the main grandstand there off into the camping lot. Those are still available. But all the RV hill ones that are on the track are sold out.

BRUCE:

NASCAR owns the facility. You lease the facility. IndyCar Penske Entertainment leases the facility with the help of IV. This year, for the first time, there was a NASCAR Cup Series race held at Iowa Speedway. It was held in June, Father's Day weekend, I believe in June. So, when you had a situation like that, where there's not a lot of time in between the two events, When did your work begin after the NASCAR race ended? And what do you do differently at the facility than what NASCAR did for their race?

MICHAEL:

Yeah, well, we have year-round employees here that are located at the facility and in Des Moines and Newton. So they help us plan for this or lead the planning in this event year-round. And Ann Fischgrund, who's the general manager and her team, they do a great job. throughout the year. So we started our prep, you know, the two days after the 2023 event, and we've been planning all year. The suite build, the temporary suite build was actually up for the NASCAR event. So that all started before the NASCAR race. And then once the NASCAR race took its checkered flag, we started building the Turn 4 temporary structure. So, you know, we've been planning, we continue to plan, That's what I'm doing here this week, is to just help the team get it to the finish line here.

BRUCE:

Do you think the success of the IndyCar race, when it returned to Iowa Speedway, helped NASCAR realize that they have a pretty good venue there for a NASCAR Cup Series race, which is why, for the first time in their history, the Cup Series competed at Iowa Speedway in 2024?

MICHAEL:

I don't think there's any doubt. I mean, you know, what we've been able to do here with the help of IV, You know, we've been here since 06, 07, when the place was built. It's a great track for our cars, but they were down to just an ARCA race once a year, I believe, is what they were running when we started coming back in 2020 and then 2022. And what we've been able to do, I think, to rejuvenate and re-energize this facility from an infrastructure standpoint, I mean, you know gallons and gallons and gallons of paint that we put on um to to make it shine again um some additional infrastructure stuff that we put at the bill for with help of ivy there's no doubt that you know nascar took a look at it and the show that that we created here with the concerts and said, hey, that's a pretty good venue. They knew it was a good venue, right? They own it. But I think they saw for, I don't know if I want to say the first time, but they certainly saw for the most recent iteration of our event here that the place can get packed and handle it from a facility standpoint and do a pretty darn good job. So the folks in Iowa are great race fans. We're so happy to be here. And it's great to have NASCAR here as well.

BRUCE:

And Hy-Vee was also involved by being the presenting sponsor of the Xfinity Series race. To be able to support Iowa the way Hy-Vee does, how important is that? Not only for the state, but for NASCAR and IndyCar.

MICHAEL:

Well, it's their, you know, obviously they're headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, so it's their home state and they take such pride in, you know, what they've been able to do to bring racing back to the Iowa Speedway in the state of Iowa. So, you know, they are responsible for us being here from 2022 on. And, uh, and just seeing that, like, like we just said, um, made it possible for NASCAR to come back in my opinion. So, you know, for them to have a hand in not only, you know, doing that for IndyCar, but also of course, sponsoring the NASCAR race. And I think it just proves what, what Heidi. what they're willing to do and what they do for their state, for their population in this state, for the citizens of the state, and for their employees. I mean, they have a ton of employees out here helping every year, volunteering. It's a great organization. They've done a wonderful job rejuvenating this place.

BRUCE:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

WILL:

This is Will Power of Team Penske and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

BRUCE:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. And now here's the rest of my exclusive interview with the president of the Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway, Michael Montry for Pit Pass Indy. And not to be overlooked, but earlier in June, you and your staff presented the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on the streets of Detroit, downtown Detroit. A lot of the same people that work on your staff are also helping you in Iowa. No small task in shutting down a major city like Detroit. Especially with the Renaissance Center, General Motors headquarters, Jefferson Avenue, when you look at it, that's a pretty busy schedule that you and your staff work on. So how did that all work out in the month of June, which we're not even through June yet, and you're now getting ready to create another big event on the IndyCar schedule in July at Iowa?

MICHAEL:

Yeah, that's a great question. I mean, it all starts, we have a great team. I mean, we have a small team, but it's a very good team. And we all pitch in to help out, you know, whether it's in Detroit or Iowa, or quite frankly, at IMS. I mean, we have a team from Indianapolis Motor Speedway here today in Iowa as well, cutting the grass and getting the weed eaters out and making sure this thing's gonna be show ready when we go here in a few weeks. So it's a team that we can pull from a number of different resources. Detroit, we have, as I mentioned, a couple people full-time here in Iowa, and then our folks in Indianapolis. So we all kinda come together and put events on The week after the Iowa race here is the Brickyard race, NASCAR race at IMS. So we'll have some folks go straight from here back to IMS and help on that race. So it's a crazy schedule, but it's a great team and we all really love working together and love what we do.

BRUCE:

And oh, by the way, Labor Day weekend in Milwaukee at the Milwaukee mile, IndyCar is going to return with another Hy-Vee race weekend. It's going to be a doubleheader. They're going to be the presenting sponsor. The Wisconsin State Fair Park is going to be the actual promoter, but your team's going to be actively involved in that. In what way will your team be responsible with that big event, bringing IndyCar back to a track that first held IndyCar races back in 1939?

MICHAEL:

Yeah, no, thanks for mentioning that, Bruce. That's a big initiative of IndyCars this year to get back. We're just trying to help the fair manage a race. They do a great job with the fair. They have over a million people that come through the Wisconsin State Fair right on the same grounds of the Milwaukee Mile that we're going to be using two weeks afterward. And they haven't promoted a race since 2015. And even back then it was the Andretti group. So this is the first time in a long time that the actual Wisconsin State Fair has been the promoter there. And IndyCar and my team that I just mentioned is just helping them make sure that they don't, you know, miss anything that's specific to racing. You know, how do you get in and out of the tunnel? This is why it's important here. You know, what are you doing with promotion here? How can we help? And just, just helping them get across the finish line and making sure that that's, that's, you know, the incredible event that I think it will be. And what an important weekend that's going to be a double header weekend, you know, two right before the finale in Nashville two weeks later. So that, that weekend could go a long way in determining the champion for the season. So it's going to be an exciting weekend and, and ticket sales there are going well. We're, we're certainly in the thick of it and should be a great weekend that, that, that, that, that footprint of the fair is going to be open during the race, which is going to be really cool and a really unique venue for anybody that's ever been to an IndyCar race. This is going to be one that's completely different from anything that you've ever been to. And I'm really excited to see how the fair staff opens up their facility there and has all the bars and restaurants and attractions open that they do during the fair. So it should be very cool.

BRUCE:

Back to the Hy-Vee IndyCar race weekend at Iowa Speedway on Thursday, June 27th. Just to show you how important the IndyCar teams look at this event, 10 IndyCar teams, 27 cars are going to be testing at Iowa Speedway. It's going to be a day test, then there's going to be a break, and then they're going to test under the lights since this is going to be a doubleheader that includes a night race. So how important is that test not only for the teams, but also to help promote the event?

MICHAEL:

It's always important when anytime you have a car on track, it's an opportunity, you know, to, to, you know, wave a flag and say, Hey, this is what you're, this is what you're going to see in a couple of weeks. And this one in particular with, as you mentioned, 27 cars, it's going to be a really important test for the teams. Um, you know, they're going to be, they're going to be using, uh, their, uh, you know, this is going to be the first oval that the hybrid powertrain is going to be used on. Um, so, and with the new paving, uh, interns, you know, one, one in, uh, uh, actually it's all four turns, but on the bottom groove, uh, there's new pavement. So you have some really interesting new, um, dynamics here to this event all of a sudden, and it also being a double header, it's like double points, right? So you gotta be good here. You gotta be good at Milwaukee and, uh, and therefore everybody's taking it super seriously, which they should. So it's going to be exciting.

BRUCE:

You beat me to the punch on bringing up the hybrid assist because your track at Iowa Speedway is going to be the first time the hybrid engine will run on an oval. And how much do you think that's going to change the dynamic of the racing?

MICHAEL:

I think it's going to be, I guess we'll all learn how they run on Thursday this week, but I think it's going to be really exciting. I mean, it's the first time we're going to run hybrids, obviously, on an oval, and it's a new technology for the IndyCar series. I think it's going to be super interesting. It's this technological advancement that we haven't seen in a while. It's going to be really interesting to see how the drivers learn over the course of testing here and then during the doubleheader race weekend, how they utilize that system. Where do they regen? Where do they unleash it? I don't know. I don't know how much faster you can go than they already go here on the world's fastest short track on the planet is what it's called here. It's going to be really interesting. There are short straightaways here, but I think that's where you're going to have to use those, I believe.

BRUCE:

You brought up the point about the pavement that had been changed in the lower grooves of both turns one and two and also three and four. Do you see that as being a potential benefit or could some of the teams find different grip levels that may either improve their racing or be a detriment to it?

MICHAEL:

Yeah, I think that's what we'll learn during the test. You know, NASCAR repaved it, you know, for the NASCAR race a couple weeks ago. and it's a wide repave, so it's not just one groove of asphalt. It's multiple grooves, and I think that'll go a long way towards making it really work for the teams and keeping it exciting. As long as we get that second groove worked in, I think we'll be just fine, and it'll be very interesting. There's also a strip kind of you know as you drift out toward the wall at corner exit in four and two and four where it runs probably 50 feet longer than the others so I don't know if they'll be able to utilize that for additional grip or not depends on how it how it all works but it's going to be really interesting to see see what what shakes out here with not only the hybrid but also the new pavement.

BRUCE:

Does it put a little more demand on Firestone and their engineers to come up with a tire that's going to work on both types of surface, even though you see that a lot happen on street races, because there's not one street race out there that has the same surface.

MICHAEL:

Yeah, exactly. I think, you know, Firestone has this down. I mean, they do such a good job and figuring out the compounds and what's needed for each event. We've run here a number of times. They have that, you know, the dag down so well here and that's what keeps it interesting. And I think, I think we'll be just fine. Um, they'll, you know, obviously learn a lot on Thursday here and see how it works. Uh, but, um, but I'm not, I'm not too worried about that at all. I think, um, the tires are going to be great.

BRUCE:

And also talking about Hy-Vee, every time you go to the race out in Iowa, you see a ton of Hy-Vee employees and their red shirts that are out there to help you put on the event, either through guest relations or people that are just doing things to help Hy-Vee and the event. How important is their role and how many of them from the stores really come out there and help put on the event?

MICHAEL:

Here's what I think is so cool about that, Bruce, that When they come out here, I mean, they descend on this facility when you're in their red shirts, like you mentioned, and they just work, man. I mean, these are folks that that work day in, day out in a retail store or at the corporate headquarters. And a lot of the folks at corporate headquarters came up through the retail ranks and spent a lot of time in those retail stores. So they all have this certain customer service and work ethic that's so inherent in the Hy-Vee organization. And to see them descend on the facility here and just go to work, it's really something to see. And what I found in the first two years here, and I'm sure it will be the same this year, is that not only do you kind of see that and get motivated by it and all of their excitement of being here, but also there's a sense of morale that comes from those employees. And you can just see how proud they are of this race and the fact that Hy-Vee, the company they work for and invest all of their time in, is sponsoring it, and they want to put on a great show for the state of Iowa, the country and the world, and show them what Hy-Vee and the state of Iowa can do here at Iowa Speedway. So it's just so cool to see how hard they work and the morale that it brings, not only to the workforce, but also to everybody working out here, from the security guard to the concession stand worker. It's just really cool.

BRUCE:

It's really more than a sponsorship, it's a partnership. And in many ways, in past seasons, I would ask people from IEB if they saw, if they would consider increasing their relationship with IndyCar. We saw that as a yes by sponsoring the two races at the Milwaukee Mile. Do you see that involvement between IndyCar and Hy-Vee increasing even more into the future?

MICHAEL:

Well, I think, look, they have to continue to believe that IndyCar is a good investment for their brand and and the marketing of their brand. And obviously it's in the sport's best interest to have Hy-Vee involved. So I would say really, Bruce, the onus is on IndyCar to make sure that the investment that Hy-Vee is making is going to pan out to the positive. So they want to continue to reinvest. I think you're going to see it. I think they're, you know, very excited about the new broadcast partnership that we have at Fox. That means that every race that we have next year, you know, the two here and the two or the one I should say in Milwaukee next year are all on broadcast Fox. So we're going to maximize viewership there. Um, you're going to see practice and qualifying and indexed all on Fox and FS one. Um, so I, I think, you know, they're, we're bullish about the series. They're bullish about the series. And, uh, and I would hope that they continue to see the, uh, the ROI that they need to see to continue to invest and grow their investment.

BRUCE:

When all this began back in 2021, it was Randy Edeker. Actually, it even began a season before that when Randy Edeker decided to sponsor Graham Rahal at Rahal Wetterman Lanigan Racing. Randy Edeker was the CEO of Hy-Vee. He has since retired. Now it's Jeremy Gosch. Do you see any difference in enthusiasm between what Randy Edeker had for the sport of IndyCar and for Iowa Speedway with Jeremy Gosch?

MICHAEL:

Well, I will tell you, Randy was such a champion and is such a champion of our sport and our business model and the way it fit within the marketing plans for Hy-Vee. It's tough to match up, but I will tell you, Jeremy has done that. He very much has an appreciation for what we do here and how we do it. And I think you know, it's a, it's a, not only a, uh, a sports relationship, uh, a sports marketing relationship, it's a, it's a business relationship. Right. So, um, Jeremy has been, you know, a phenomenal partner to us and, uh, and, uh, you know, we'll continue to be, uh, so now Jeremy, uh, uh, like I said, has picked up right where Randy left off and, um, been a wonderful partner.

BRUCE:

And as we wrap up this interview for Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee, the state of Iowa at the moment is dealing with flooding, some serious flooding in some areas. Some of the Hy-Vee people are involved in helping some of the communities deal with that at the moment. What's it like in the Newton area, the Des Moines area, and are there some things that the track may do to help some of the flood victims?

MICHAEL:

Yeah, thanks for bringing that up, Bruce. I'm in Newton now, and there is no evidence or anything that I've seen that tells me it's going to be imminently here. But I have talked to a number of folks at Hy-Vee today, and they're certainly concerned. Their stores, as you mentioned, are dealing with it. And they expect it maybe to expand as the water flows down. the river and see how it might affect other communities. Hy-Vee does such a great job out in the community with their million meals and their water trucks that they bring out in support of any type of disaster relief like we're talking about. I have not heard specific plans about what they will do, but I can guarantee you they're planning on something. So we'll stay tuned here and help out how we can.

BRUCE:

Well, it's a man who's always busy. When you work for the Penske Corporation, you're going to be busy with one project or another, but they seem to keep you busy with plenty of projects. So I guess that just means you're doing a pretty good job. Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway President Michael Montry. Good luck with the event this in July. Good luck with the Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend, the test and everything going on out in Iowa. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy. Thanks, Bruce. Appreciate it. And that puts a checkered flag on this edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee. We want to thank our guests, Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey winner Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing, second place finisher Colton Herta of Andretti Global, third place finisher Alexander Rossi of Arrow McLaren, and our special guest, Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway president Michael Montry for joining us on today's podcast. Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests help make Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee, your path to victory lane in IndyCar. On the highways, the raceways, and every pit stop in between, Penske Truck Rental keeps you moving forward. Gain ground with Penske. And for all your shopping needs, be sure to visit your local Hy-Vee, where there's a helpful smile in every aisle. For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at Twitter at BruceMartin, one word, uppercase B, uppercase M, underscore 500. This has been a production of Evergreen Podcast. A special thanks to our production team, executive producers are Bridget Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin, and final mixing was done by Dave Douglas. Learn more at evergreenpodcast.com. Until next time, be sure to keep it out of the wall.